Professional Documents
Culture Documents
since 1901
Unit 1
1. Period of Stagnant Population (1901-1921)
2.Period of Steady Growth (1921-1951)
3.Period of Rapid High Growth (1951-1981)
4. Period of High Growth with Definite Signs
of Slowing Down (1981-2001)
1. Period of Stagnant Population (1901-1921)
During most of the 19th century India witnessed irregular and slow
growth of population which drifted into twentieth century until 1921.
Thus the population growth during this period can be termed more
or less stagnant when compared to the growth rates observed during
the consequent periods. The high birth rate was counterbalanced by
high death rate.
1. Period of Stagnant Population (1901-1921)
The progressive growth rate in 1921 over 1901 was only 5.42 per
cent. In fact, the census year 1921 registered a negative growth
rate of-0.31 per cent which happened only once throughout the
demographic history of India. It is because of this decline in
place of rise in population that the year 1921 is called the
‘demographic divide’ in the demographic history of India.
1. Period of Stagnant Population (1901-1921)
The high mortality during this period was the product of large
scale abnormal deaths due to epidemics of influenza, plague, small
pox, cholera, etc. Influenza alone claimed 12 million lives in 1918.
Food shortages caused by severe droughts in 1911,1913,1915,1918
and 1920 claimed their own toll. In addition, thousands of Indian
soldiers lost their lives during the World War I (1914-18)
2. Period of Steady Growth (1921-51)
After 1951, there was a steep fall in the mortality rate but
the fertility remained stubbornly high. Therefore, this
period experienced very high rate of population growth
and is often referred to as the period of population
explosion.
3. Period of Rapid High Growth (1951-81):
The last phase of 20th century, i.e., the period between census
years 1981 and 2001 is known as the period of high growth with
definite signs of slowing down. Although the rate of growth was
still very high, it started declining after 1981.
4. Period of High Growth Rate with Definite Signs of
Slowing Down (1981-2001)
This declining trend marks the beginning of the new era in the
countries demographic history. During this period, birth rate
declined rapidly, from 34 per thousand in 1981 to 26 per
thousand in 2001. Declining trend of death rate continued but
at a slower rate.
The Demographic Transition